A common complaint in the microcomputer field is that those who make the hardware don’t know how to write the software. This adage has largely been confirmed by Timex, whose software for the 1000/1500 series seldom came up to the same quality level as packages from independent suppliers. This same problem has also been evident with the 2068 software.
But at last I have gotten my hands on three programs that really can make you glad you left your Atari 2600 behind. They are the “Horace” games Timex made available for the 2068 shortly before they left the market but which many dealers never stocked. I was able to purchase mine from Games To Learn By (address at end of article) at very reasonable prices.
Horace, long popular with Spectrum owners in England, is almost unknown here. Horace somewhat resembles one of the ghosts in the Pac-Man game with legs. But the programmers have done far more with him than the ghosts have ever done. HUNGRY HORACE apparently is the oldest of the three games and is the simplest. It operates much like Pac-Man but has more challenge than the other 2068 maze type games I’ve seen. It’s entertaining but is not my favorite. However, my 3 children (ages 13, 11, & 9) play it the most.
HORACE GOES SKIING opens with a screen in which Horace must cross an 8 lane busy freeway to rent his skis and then return. This is similar to part of the popular Frogger arcade game. After procuring his skis, he begins to ski, avoiding trees which will break his skis (requiring another trip across the freeway) and trying to slalom back and forth through the flags to score points. If he can pass under the finish banner at the bottom he scores additional points. Finishing one slope means crossing the freeway again to get to the next slope. This is my favorite. The sound, movement, graphics detail and sheer challenge are great. I brought this one along to our last users group meeting and everyone was taken with it!
HORACE AND THE SPIDERS is the most complicated and most challenging. Three screens are presented. In the first Horace must cross a large open space while jumping over spider and then climbing a small hill. This immediately switches Horace to a scene in which he must cross a canyon by swinging from one spider web rope to another while the spiders overhead are busily pulling the ropes up (here’s where I fail). Crossing the canyon he enters a black forest with spiders and webs everywhere. Horace is to set about stomping holes in the webs and then pouncing on the spiders which come to repair them. They are destroyed if he can step on them and make them fall through the holes to the ground below. Since I have never gotten past this part, I’m not sure what comes next. Again, great graphics and sound with a refreshing change in theme from the Pac-Man and Space Invaders fare.
Though I primarily use my 2068 for its educational value and for word processing, Horace does have his place at my home. Buy at least one and see if you don’t agree.